Opinion: No 10’s Toxic Covid Culture Didn’t Just Vanish With the Tories
Ash Sarkar
The conditions that enabled Tory failures in the pandemic are still present in Keir Starmer’s government, writes Ash Sarkar.
Tag: austerity
Report: Birmingham Bin Workers Encouraged to Retrain for Jobs That Don’t Exist
Polly Smythe
At-risk refuse workers were encouraged to avoid a pay cut by retraining for new roles. There was just one problem: these jobs don't exist. Polly Smythe reports.
Analysis: Labour Delays Repeal of Anti-Trade Union Law Ahead of Austerity 2.0
Polly Smythe
The government is backsliding over reforms to Tory anti-strike laws. Perhaps it has something to do with the fresh round of cuts they have planned. Polly Smythe reports.
Novara Live: Kamala Harris Skewers Trump on Abortion During DNC Speech
More despatches from the Democrats National Convention, Netanyahu is losing more support in Israel and the energy price cap has gone up again. With Rivkah Brown and Aaron Bastani.
Report: A Government ‘Best Value’ Inspection of Tower Hamlets Council Turned Out to Be Very Bad Value
Rivkah Brown
Michael Gove signed off on paying inspectors more than £1,000 a day to make sure Tower Hamlets council was spending money well. Ironically, their enquiry is now more than £130,000 over budget, Novara Media can reveal.
Opinion: Austerity Is Back, Baby
Matteo Tiratelli
Rachel Reeves imagines Blackrock will fill the void left by her deliberate under-investment, writes Matteo Tiratelli. Where have I heard that one before?
Analysis: Labour’s Slippery Manifesto Offers No End to Austerity
James Meadway
Labour is doomed if it keeps the country on its current path. But Keir Starmer's flimsy manifesto refuses to say how he intends to avoid more austerity, writes James Meadway.
Analysis: Budget 2024: Keir Starmer Just Walked Right Into the Tories’ Trap
James Meadway
With nothing new left to say, Jeremy Hunt used his last budget to set Labour up to fail, writes James Meadway.
Opinion: The 2000s Are Back, Baby – And So Are the Fash
Juliet Jacques
Those celebrating the return of smooth-talking centrists to frontline politics seem to have forgotten the far-right they brought with them, writes Juliet Jacques.
Long Read: How Centrist ‘Frenemies’ Podcasts Turned Politics Into a Parlour Game
Juliet Jacques
From Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to Ed Balls and George Osborne, political 'frenemies' are having a moment. It’s all part of a centrist attempt to turn politics into a dinner table argument rather than a matter of life and death, writes Juliet Jacques.
Opinion: The Greek Left Had One Chance and Blew It
Yannis-Orestis Papadimitriou
The leader of Greece’s main leftwing political party resigned on Thursday following a catastrophic general election defeat. That’s what happens when you promise revolution and deliver a whole lot of nothing, writes Yannis-Orestis Papadimitriou.
Obituary: Berlusconi Didn’t Pave the Way for Italian Fascism – Liberal Technocrats Did
Matteo Tiratelli
Far more dangerous than the tangerine tyrant was Italian liberals' response to him, writes Matteo Tiratelli.
Report: Donald Tusk Gives Polish Leftists the Ick. They Might Have to Get Over It
Ana Oppenheim
On Sunday, half a million people took to the streets of Warsaw to hear Donald Tusk rail against the government. The march presented a dilemma for the Polish left, torn between its disdain for continental Thatcherites like Tusk and its hatred of the far-right incumbents. Ana Oppenheim reports.
Analysis: How Did British Dental Care Get So Awful?
Ell Folan
11 million people are currently waiting to see an NHS dentist. 90% of practices aren’t taking new patients. The problem goes way deeper than the pandemic, writes Ell Folan.
Opinion: Who’s to Blame for Deep Poverty in Scotland?
Jonathon Shafi
New research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows a stark rise in levels of deep poverty in Scotland. Yet the problem isn’t only to be found in Westminster, argues Jonathon Shafi.
Analysis: Who Counts As A Cyclist In London?
Moya Lothian-McLean
The capital’s authorities say they want to encourage diversity among bike riders. Their actions don't match up, argues Moya Lothian-McLean.
Obituary: ‘Bastards!’: Comedian and Outspoken Critic of Austerity Paul O’Grady Dies Aged 67
Simon Childs
O’Grady, famous for his drag persona Lily Savage, described cuts to disability benefits as ‘criminal’ and said he would like to see David Cameron and George Osborne’s heads on spikes.
Opinion: Neoliberal Politicians Are Destroying Glasgow
Jonathon Shafi
Privatisation-loving council leader Susan Aitken once partnered with McDonald's to organise volunteer-run clean-ups as she slashed refuse collection budgets. Now she's charging locals £50 to have their garden waste collected. Jonathon Shafi on the crisis unfolding in Glasgow.